Psalm 46: 1-5
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip
into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake
at its swelling pride.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her,
she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
I love this Psalm. It paints in my mind's eye a very vivid picture of God's strength in the midst of chaos.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
His presence is familiar. It's always there. It's very present. When I feel like the world is spinning out of control (out of my control, if I'm honest) I look for Him, and He's always there.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Think about this picture. A mountain slipping down into the sea. I can picture the turmoil, the swell, the white foamy water. It is not a peaceful picture. It feels overwhelming and frightening.
It says, "Therefore we will not fear . . . " no matter what things look like around us. No matter what is being destroyed or falling apart or changing. We will not fear. I will not fear.
And then there is the next beautiful line of this Psalm. And every time I read this line . . .
every.
single.
time.
it makes me catch my breath in awe.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God
I am not a theologian, and I don't know exactly what this means, but this is what it says to my heart.
In the midst of destruction and chaos and uncertainty, there is a river, the depth of which cannot be imagined. It is unfathomable. It provides life. It provides protection. It has a determined course. It is a force to be reckoned with. It is the Lord.
And I'm pretty sure THAT is why the thought of it takes my breath away.
When I read this one line, "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God," I feel instantly at peace. And oddly enough, I feel bolstered. I want to raise my fist and shout, "YEAH, That's right! A RIVER!"
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
All that to say, there is a river, a foaming, raging river, yet it is there I will find strength, and comfort and peace. There is a river, and I am wading out into the deep of it.
